§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the submissions, a copy of which has been sent to him, of the General Secretary of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union Limited with regard to the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment of Fees) Regulations, 1971;
(2) if he is aware of the concern felt by the Working Men's Club and Institute Union Limited and other club organisations about the extent of the increase in fees payable to the Registrar of Friendly Societies with effect from 1st April, 1971; what consultation he proposes to have with these organisations about the increase in fees; if he is satisfied that consultative arrangements about such increases are satisfactory; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI am aware of the views of the Working Men's Club and284W Institute Union Limited on the recent increase in fees and of the consultations which have taken place. Following publication of the White Paper "New Policies on Public Spending" (Cmnd. 4515) the fees which had remained unaltered for 13 years have been reviewed. Regulations increasing the fees were made after consultation with the various bodies concerned.
Similar reviews will now take place at regular intervals and the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies has written to the General Secretary of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union suggesting further consultations during the coming year.